Tackling complex money laundering cases involving the illicit use of cryptocurrencies was the focus of the practical training organized by the Action against Economic Crime in Montenegro. 

The event brought together the Council of Europe experts with practitioners from the law enforcement, financial intelligence and prosecutorial service, to raise understanding of the main international standards in this field, and to discuss investigation and seizure of cryptocurrencies and digital assets originating from money laundering. The participants learned about comparative practices on regulation and standard operational procedures along three clusters of investigation, seizure, and education. Furthermore, hands-on sessions focused on operational issues and provided complex technical details of blockchain technology, criminal use of Bitcoins and Altcoins, and necessary steps for investigating the related transactions. Ultimately, this training represents a continuation of joint efforts to support Montenegrin authorities in the effective prosecution and adjudication of money laundering cases.

The activity was organised by the Action against economic crime in Montenegro, within the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.